The Board granted an initial rating of more than 10 percent for both the right and left lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, effective from August 2023.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of moderate intermittent pain, mild numbness, and tingling warranted a separate 20 percent rating under DC 8720 for each side, in addition to the 20 percent rating under DC 8520 for each side, resulting in an overall increased initial rating.
- Claimed conditions
- right lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 23, 2025
- Citation
- A25037251
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, as the appropriate effective date is June 14, 2023, the date of his Supplemental Claim.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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